CLEVELAND– Baseball is still celebrating Polish Night. On June 11, the Cleveland Indians will host the Washington Nationals at Progressive Field for Polish Night. It is the eighth annual. Get there early for the pre-game festivities and parade. Wear your red and white. Groups can meet at Key Plaza outside of Gate ‘A’ at 6:00 PM.
I will be “Bringing it Strong”…… so get there real early to polka and talk about all the great Polish-American Baseball players elected to the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. The NPASHF has a museum in Troy, Michigan. Who is your favorite? Stan Musial won seven N.L. batting titles. He was inducted in 1973.
I will be having an early lunch with sports broadcasters Raymond Rolak of Detroit and Doug Yalacki of Washington D.C., at Sokolowski’s University Inn in Tremont. It will be ‘Rocking’, pre and post-game. We will speculate on some Stephen Strasburg heat.
We will be repeating all the funny Tom Paciorek baseball stories, including when he worked at Kowalski’s Sausage Company in Hamtramck, Michigan during his college football days. Remember also, he had been a Nationals’ broadcaster. Great stuff.
For those in the Washington D.C. area, the game will be televised on Mid Atlantic Sports Channel-2 HD. 7:00 PM start.
Tickets for the Indian’s game are only $12. More info for tickets at www.polishyoungtown.com or www.clevelandsociety.com
Recently, former Detroit Tiger great Willie Horton reminisced how honored he felt when presenting Paciorek into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. “I remember how great the mushroom soup was that evening. I love Polish food. Tom and I were teammates in Seattle. He had good years in Seattle. He always helped keep the clubhouse loose. He is a great baseball broadcaster, always prepared.”
The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be June 24, in Troy, Michigan and will honor former Phillies Manager Danny Ozark. Ozark led the Phillies to NL-East titles in 76, 77 and 78. He was also a longtime coach for the L. A. Dodgers. Past Philadelphia slugger Greg Luzinski will present for the deceased Ozark (2009).
Paciorek, the popular and veteran announcer, is scheduled to emcee. He was awarded a sports Emmy
NPASHF Chairman Jim Conrad said, “We will also be inducting swimming champion Kristy Kowal of Reading, Pennsylvania and Hamtramck, Michigan native and tennis great Peaches Barkowicz.” Former University of Michigan football player Nick Fronctzak said, “We have a great lineup and we expect a full house.” 313-407-3300 for tickets.
Phil Niekro another NPASHF inductee (1990) will be appearing at the National Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on June 20, for the “Fathers Day Hall of Fame Classic” presented by Ford Motor Company. 866-849-7770 for tickets.
Other Polish-American baseball nights coming up:
ROAD TRIP On June 18, The Pittsburg Pirates will be celebrating ‘Maz’ at PNC Park with a canvas picture give away. Special tickets are priced at $19.60 to remember Bill Mazeroski and the 1960 season. The Pirates will host the Indians. It is a 7:05 PM EST start. Everyone gets a Mazeroski canvas photo. Mazeroski was a NPASHF inductee in 1979.
On June 19, the Toledo Mud Hens will host the Norfolk Tides at Fifth Third Field for Polish Heritage Night. There will be a pre-game concert at 5:30 PM featuring “Touch of Brass” and a post game party with your ticket stub at the Toledo PRCUA Hall. 419-265-2615 for tickets.
Vice President of the Polish National Alliance, Paul Odrobina said, “I hope we can have a full house for Polish Night in Chicago.” The White Sox will host Polish Night at U.S. Cellular Field on July 6, at 7:10 CDT. The Sox will take on the Los Angeles Angels and “The New Phaze Polka Band” will perform pre-game at Gate four.
In the Youngstown area, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers will host Vermont on July 8, at 7:05 PM for Polish Night. Promotions director Heather Sahli has all kinds of activities planned. Aundrea Cika-Heschmeyer invites everyone to keep checking www.polishyounstown.com for updates.
Polish-American Night in Buffalo at Coke-Cola Field will be August 3, when the Bison’s take on Lehigh Valley as part of Polish Fest. Fireworks will be presented by UNYTS.
On Sunday, August 8, in Milwaukee, the Brewers will take on the Houston Astro’s at Miller Park. It will be Klement’s Racing Sausage -Bobble Head give away. 1:10 CDT start. Guess which sausage is going to be given away.
Can you believe that the Lake Erie Crushers don’t have a Polish-American Night promotion…. yet. Come on Nicole Meyer……the ‘Keilbasa-n-Kraut’ is simmering.
“Bring it Strong” and Smacznego… (Bon Appetit) !!!
When in the Cleveland vicinity, listen to Michael Reghi on WKNR 850 AM ESPN
3:00-6:00 PM, and for sports questions, [email protected] 216-578-0850